Chester County SPCA moves on after loss of another director

WEST GOSHEN — Following the sudden termination of interim executive director Russell “Wolf” Harper, the Chester County SPCA said the shelter is “on the right track.”

“This SPCA is on the right track, and will continue to improve and deliver high-quality care to our animals,” said Board President Pat Biswanger. “That is thanks to the staff, not any executive director.”

Biswanger said that despite some criticisms of the shelter’s move, it was done with the animals in mind. Community members have criticized Harper’s firing on social media, with many blaming the board and questioning its motives.

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“I am constrained from telling the entire story, but anything we do, we do for the benefit of the animals,” said Biswanger. “There should not be any doubt about that. This wasn’t about politics or egos or any of the other motivations that are ascribed to us.”

She called Harper a “very talented, passionate guy” but said that “his talents work better in a different setting.”

Harper, who was brought on in April as interim executive director of the shelter, confirmed Thursday that he was let go by the shelter’s board.

Harper, who is a co-founder of Justice Rescue, an animal rescue group, said on Thursday that he felt that he was beginning to change procedures and implement procedures in the shelter during his short tenure. He said that he was “shocked” that he was let go before his contract expired.

“I had the support, the community and all the stakeholders involved to make this a world class shelter over time and I see now where the mistakes in the past have been to make it from being that,” Harper said Thursday. He did not immediately return requests for comment Friday.

The shelter has been hit with controversy over the past year, beginning in the summer of 2013 when former volunteers and staff members alleged the shelter was being mismanaged. Following the installation of a new board in October, the CCSPCA has continued to be criticized following the heated resignations of board members and two police incidents that involved staff and volunteers.

The board said that it will begin the process of searching for someone to permanently fill the position within the next two weeks, with the goal of having an executive director by mid-fall.